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Distance to Plant trees from house

wedge1988wedge1988 Posts: 3
in Problem solving
Afternoon All (UK Time)

I was hoping somebody would have advice on how far to Plant a Cherry Blossom, and a Fir tree from the house.

Ideally what I'm after is the Max "safe" size of tree at this point.

The Planting locations will be about 8-10 Meters from the corners of the house. The soil will be good quality, non-clay

If anybody needs any further information please do ask

Many thanks in advance!

Regards
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Posts

  • LoxleyLoxley Posts: 5,698
    Check your tree height here:
    4.2.4-table3.png (1000×949) (nhbc-standards.co.uk)

    Then read off your distance here:
    4_2_13_05.png (1000×595) (nhbc-standards.co.uk)

    (I have assumed as a non-clay soil, the shrinkage potential is 'medium').

    Using the tables, the height of the Japanese cherry is given as 9m in the first table.
    In the second table, I'll use round up and used '10m' column for tree height. Assuming a minimum foundation depth of 0.9m, the minimum distance is 8m.

    This was devised for modern new-build houses where the foundation depth is known to be at least 0.9m - I don't know what your foundations are like! Ful guidance here: 4.2.4 The effects of trees on shrinkable soils - NHBC Standards 2022 NHBC Standards 2022 (nhbc-standards.co.uk)
    "What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour". 
  • wedge1988wedge1988 Posts: 3
    Thank you Loxley!

    I checked a geographical map and the soil is a rich sandy-loam soil type with well drainage (We're on top of a hill)

    We have Established Holly hedging from the front to the bottom of the garden, and the distance from the house to the hedge is about 1m at best - no issues seen

    :)

    Regards
  • thevictorianthevictorian Posts: 1,279
    If you want a cherry you can get them on various rootstock, so could find one that stays much smaller than 9m and won't cause problems. 
  • LoxleyLoxley Posts: 5,698
    Worth mentioning that cherries can affect paving and drains with their roots, so check the location of drains particularly.
    "What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour". 
  • StephenSouthwestStephenSouthwest Posts: 635
    edited August 2022
    Yes, it's worth thinking carefully about where you plant a cherry and what rootstock: https://forum.gardenersworld.com/discussion/1068145/cherry-tree-a-little-light-root-pruning#latest

  • Dave HumbyDave Humby Posts: 1,145
    House insurance companies will also often ask if you have any trees within a certain distance of the property. Might be worth checking with your insurer as to what their conditions are. I'm not sure if there is a standard distance or whether it varies between insurers. 
  • bédébédé Posts: 3,095
    edited August 2022
    I agree with Dave. Check with your insurer, but think about future possible insurers.  The council may have a view.

    "Fir" covers a multitude of possibilities; some are enormous.  Don't just think of purchase price of a tree, think of lifetime care:  tree surgery, accidents, emergency call-outs, end of life attention.  They're just like people.
     location: Surrey Hills, England, ex-woodland acidic sand.
    "Have nothing in your garden that you don't know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."
  • KT53KT53 Posts: 9,016
    Rather simplistic 'rule' is assume an eventual root spread to match the mature height of the tree.  That will at least give a rough guide.
  • Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 12,494
    Gosh @KT53, that means that the 50ft birch tree 3/4 metres from our house wall has a root spread right underneath and to the far side. of our property. Rather unnerving as we're also on a steep slope.  Presumably it's also right underneath the adjoining road?  No wonder we have seasonal heave under our courtyard paving!
    North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone
  • wedge1988wedge1988 Posts: 3
    Thanks to all that have replied.

    If anybody has any "safe" tree suggestions, that would be great. I've spent a good 3-4 hours looking for fir trees that have a triangular shape but I'm not having much luck with the 5-6m height limit 😭 - 

    Thanks
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